The NFL world was rocked by the Thursday news that Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera has been diagnosed with lymph node cancer (Squamous Cell Carcinoma). The 58-year-old Rivera is one of the most respected coaches in the game, and people haven’t forgotten his time as a linebacker for the Bears from 1984 through 1992, when he played in 137 games, when he racked up nine interceptions, one forced fumble, and 7.5 sacks. As the Panthers’ head coach from 2011 through 2019, Rivera has a regular-season record of 76-63-1, and a postseason record of 3-4.
Patriots head coach Bill Belichick started his Friday press conference with a bit of a tribute to his colleague.
Bill Belichick with a classy gesture—sending his best wishes to Ron Rivera.
— John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) August 21, 2020
“On behalf of our team and organization, I want to send along our best wishes to Coach Rivera. Ron’s been a good friend and certainly a person that’s had a great career in the National Football League — he’s a quality person, player, coach. Just want to send our best wishes along to him and hope for a speedy and complete recovery. We hope that he’s doing well.”
Rivera has said that he plans to continue coaching at this time, but the team said in a statement that there is a “Plan B” in place.
— Washington Football Team (@WashingtonNFL) August 21, 2020